Faculty Mentoring Committee

University Faculty Mentoring Program was established by Provost Mohamed El-Aasser in Fall 2004 to develop a university-wide system for faculty mentoring and more generally to promote programs that will enhance the success of faculty after they arrive at Lehigh and throughout their careers. Faculty mentoring can often lead to higher job satisfaction, improved teaching, research skills, productivity, informed choices concerning service to the university, and increased collegiality. Lehigh's Faculty Mentors can also provide new faculty members with ideas about teaching and research at Lehigh, as well as insights on life in the Lehigh Valley.

The program is implemented by the University Faculty Mentoring Committee which assists in planning the annual orientation for new faculty, organizes events to bring together mentors and mentees, and functions as a clearing house for information regarding mentoring for colleges and departments.

"Mentors are guides. They lead us along the journey of our lives. We trust them because they have been there before. They embody our hopes, cast light on the way ahead, interpret arcane signs, warn us of lurking dangers, and point out unexpected delights along the way."

"What makes a mentor? A good mentor is someone absolutely credible whose integrity transcends the message, be it positive or negative; tells you things you may not want to hear but leaves you feeling you have been heard; interacts with you in a way that makes you want to become better; makes you feel secure enough to take risks; gives you the confidence to rise above your inner doubts and fears; supports your attempts to set stretch goals for yourself; presents opportunities and highlights challenges you might not have seen on your own."